26th November 2009

The IFP is expressing its growing concern about the levels of overspending across almost the entire KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, as the provincial Legislature votes for additional funds to balance the province’s books. 

“The current levels of overspending are unprecedented in the history of this province. More importantly, they come at a time of increasing public anxiety about the fiscal stability of the entire South Africa in the midst of a global economic meltdown,” said Leader of the Official Opposition in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi. 

While some proportion of the over-expenditure has been unavoidable given a number of long-standing issues, as well as new pressures on the provincial fiscus as a result of demands associated with the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for various government employees, other portions of over-expenditure are the consequence of ongoing and often worsening profligacy. 

One glaring example of this, the IFP contends, is the adjustment estimate to the tune of R25-million requested by the provincial Legislature. “Instead of leading by example, the very institution that is constitutionally mandated to exercise oversight over the executive has chosen to defy the overwhelming need for frugality at a time of economic crisis for purposes that are questionable at best and unaffordable at worst,” said Dr Buthelezi. 

The IFP has expressed hope that the volume of this year’s adjustment estimates and the public reaction to it will prove a sufficient deterrent for offenders among government departments to refrain from injudicious and irresponsible spending of the public funds in the future.  

“At a time when the economy is stagnating and tax revenues are plummeting, the least a government can do is to behave responsibly. This our government has failed to do and we on the opposition benches are obliged to say so,” said Dr Buthelezi. 
 

Contact:
Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi
082 516 0156